'Rocking the Big House': Kingston Penitentiary to host September concert

The walls of Kingston Penitentiary will be rocking this summer. The United Way, in conjunction with St. Lawrence Parks Commission are hosting the first ever concert within the walls of Canada's most notorious prison. With more on the historic concert here's Paul Soucy.

What do The Trews, Tom Cochrane and The Headstones have in common? A few things, but the most recent being that they’ll co-headline the first ever concert inside Kingston Penitentiary.

Rockin’ the Big House will take place September 14. The concert is a fundraiser for the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington United Way and replaces the out-going ‘Fare for Friends’ event, which is being retired after more than 20 years.

“We’re always looking, this year especially, for new and exciting things to do behind these walls,” manager of Kingston Pen Tours, Vinnie Rebelo, said.

“We expect to sell out pretty quickly I think,” concert co-chair, Joanne Langlois said. “This venue is incredible, and if you combine that with the lineup that we have, and I don’t think there’s a better ticket in town.”

The plan is to have a concert like this every year, but the location could change.

“We’re not sure if we’ll have this venue ever again,” Murphy said.

Tickets for the show go on sale this Saturday and range from $75 for general admission to $200 for a gold ticket, which includes a private food and drink tent.